understanding information technology

It is necessary to provide that information technology (IT) is defined as “the tools and methods used to collect, retain, handle or distribute information. The information technology is usually associated with computers and related technologies applied to decision making.

Information technology (IT) is changing the traditional way of doing things, people who work in government, private companies, that direct personal or professional working in any field of IT used daily by using Internet, Credit cards, electronic payment of payroll, among other functions, that is why the role of IT in business processes such as manufacturing and sales have expanded greatly. The first generation of computers was designed to keep records and monitor the operational performance of the company, but the information was not timely because the analysis obtained on a given day actually described what had happened a week earlier. The current developments make it possible to capture and use the information when it is generated, i.e., have online processes. This has not only changed the way we do the work and the workplace but has had a major impact on the way in which firms compete (Alter, 1999).

Efficiently use information technology can gain a competitive advantage, but we need to find successful procedures for maintaining such advantages as a constant, and to provide alternative courses of action and resources to suit the needs of the moment, because the benefits do not always are permanent. The information system must be modified and updated regularly if you want to receive continuous competitive advantages. The creative use of information technology can provide administrators a new tool to differentiate human resources, products and / or services in respect of its competitors (Alter, 1999). This type of competitive pre-eminence can bring another group of strategies, such as a flexible and standards in time, capable of producing a wider variety of products at a lower price and in less time than the competition.

Information technologies are a tool increasingly important in business, but to implement a system company information does not guarantee that it gets results so immediate or long term. In the implementation of information system involves many factors being one of the main human factors. It is expected to change in a situation of staff be reluctant to adopt new procedures or develop them fully and in accordance with the guidelines that were established. From the above it is necessary to take into strategic planning account present and future needs of the company. Just as a preliminary investigation and feasibility study of the project that you want.